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Yachting & Diving industries to receive special attention- Flax-Mars

Left to Right: Newly appointed Director of Tourism Mrs Sharon Flax-Mars, Premier Dr the Honourable D. Orlando Smith, and Chairman and of BVI Tourist Board Mr Russell Harrigan at Monday's (January 7, 2013) Press Conference where Flax-Mars highlighted some of the initiatives to be undertaken during her tenure. Photo: VINO
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI – The BVI Tourist Board, now under the new directorship of Mrs Sharon Flax-Mars, intends to place special eyes on the yachting, diving and hotels and hospitality sectors as there is evidence of growth in some of these areas while others are facing financial challenges.

In the 2013 Budget Address on November 15, 2012 Premier Dr. the Honourable D. Orlando Smith had outlined the key elements of his Government’s “Back to Basics” strategy being implemented to reposition tourism in the marketplace, a strategy which focuses on the destination’s strengths in the areas of land based tourism; water based and nautical tourism; growing the super and mega yachts sector; expanding the destination’s calendar of annual events; developing the destination’s potential in the lucrative wedding and honeymoon market and expanding the destination’s advertising and social media programme in North America- the primary market.

Parallel to this, through the tourism sector they intend be aggressively re-entering markets such as the UK and Europe and entering new markets like South America. “This strategy is underpinned by sharp focus on and consolidation of all our marketing initiatives. My Government fully understands that to grow and prosper, our tourism sector will need to be more flexible and responsive to the global trends which are shaping and driving the consumer decision making process,” the Honourable Premier re-iterated recently.

The intended focus in the yachting, diving, hotels and hospitality sectors came out when Flax-Mars was officially introduced by the Premier Dr. the Honourable D. Orlando Smith recently. She told media operatives that while she has been involved in tourism in the Virgin Islands for quite some time, it was recognized that diving and yachting are very important sectors, which have been on the upscale.

“I do need to spend a little bit more time working with them; in fact next week I have plans to have some site visits with the different operators to learn more on the ground as to know specifically what their challenges are and what the tourist board can do to help them,” said Flax-Mars.

As for hospitality and hotels, she said that they have planned quite a bit of work with the small families because it is a known fact that they are very limited sometimes with resources and the idea is to work with them to assist them in learning financials, interior designs etc, and with whatever marketing resources the tourism board can provide. “That’s one of the thrusts of the tourist board, for us to market BVI and we know that there are a lot of challenges with lots of the smaller properties...”

It is the expressed view of persons in some circles that there has been a decline in the hotel industry in the Virgin Islands. This they feel is a consequence of the upward thrust of the yachting industry, which more often than not sees tourists over-nighting on their boats. Currently there is no available statistical data to prove this observation by some members of the public, however, the tourism authority feels the major problem in the hotel industry is that of financial management.

Flax-Mars had indicated that they would be placing much emphasis on the aspect of over-nighting, which has proven to secure more income for hoteliers and the tourism sector of the Virgin Islands.

Recognising the need to be bold, yet strategic and fiscally responsible in their approach, Ms. Flax-Mars said that while tourism is the business of everyone, reposition and re-energising tourism will take diligence, persistence, vision, planning, education, time and money. “I am committed and passionate about working with our team at the Tourist Board and as well with industry partners to achieve this,” she assured.  

The sector is pushing for a ten percent increase in arrivals by 2016.

12 Responses to “Yachting & Diving industries to receive special attention- Flax-Mars”

  • more (10/01/2013, 12:43) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    GOD HAS NO OUTSIDE CHILDREN.. THE SECTOR NEEDS $$$$$
  • wize-up (10/01/2013, 14:35) Like (6) Dislike (31) Reply
    need more citzens in that industry; government doing the promoting while the whites making the profits..lots of them do not own nothing where them from; as citzen of this place we can not leave BVI do business in the white man's contry just like that.....NDP/VIP same set of money chasers while US get nothing on our own country...most yachting and diving are not citzens; tell me that is right and it have been this way for years...who to blame ??????.....government must give them permission to set up shop here, as matter of fact most of the crew are documented workers......what ah ting !!!!! who vex,vex !!!!
    • @wize-up (10/01/2013, 15:19) Like (0) Dislike (2) Reply
      Why you so rascist, if you are a BVislander you can get a full British passport which gives you the right to go work and have your own business in the UK, so what you posted is really nonsense.
      • See here (10/01/2013, 18:34) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
        It is not total nonsense: we are expected to pack up and go make a living in the UK and leave the BVI for those of you who feel that you are more entitled than anyone else and your friends. All BVIslanders are equal and are equally entitled to whatever BVI has to offer.
      • wize-up (11/01/2013, 01:59) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply

        good news, now share that info with some of these whites that coming here, maybe them can go to big UK and leave little BVI for us.....you must be some fool to ask me to go to UK....you sound white !!!!! with some issues not much !!!!!!......listen all we asking is safeguard somthing for our children, what is so wrong with that...with @$$e$ like you in this place our future not going to be good.....now get a life !!!!!!

        • @ wize-up (12/01/2013, 03:41) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
          I am white and I agree completely. BVIslanders, wake up before it is too late!
    • Wize up yourself (10/01/2013, 20:52) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
      Your bitter attitude ,which is clearly racially biased demonstrates your lack of understanding of the marine industry. Contrary to your negative thoughts, there are many very successful local businesses who have achieved by hard work and professionalism

      If your gripe is that there are whites in the marine community, you sound like a person that will struggle to achieve anywhere. Take your vex vex and do something positive .
  • @@@@@ (10/01/2013, 14:52) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    more old talk but they have not put their money where their mouth tis
  • ABC (10/01/2013, 15:01) Like (4) Dislike (1) Reply
    Am I to understand that Ms. Ward is no longer with the Tourist Board? I trust that they did not booth her out. After all ,every mouth must be fed. If Ms. Maduro who is now in prison were to open her mouth, many in senior positions on the Board would change their residence.
  • Local Business (10/01/2013, 17:15) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Why do we have People on board and owing money and don't want to pay. I am not speaking about government business i am speaking about there private business. Mr.R.H. please pay me.
  • rat tail (10/01/2013, 17:17) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Statistics are like miniskirts ... they hide more than they reveal!


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